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that of the dauphin. Here he paused, and passed his hand over the partition, until he found a spring which yielded to his touch, and a door flew back, revealing a small closet skilfully built in the wall of the passage. It was the iron vault the king had built and walled up, with Gamain’s assistance, two years before.
    There was a large portfolio filled with papers in the closet, as well as a large quantity of gold.
    “Here, Campan, take this portfolio and carry it to your own room,” said the king.
    Madame Campan tried to lift it, but the portfolio was too heavy.
    “I cannot lift it, Sire,” she replied.
    “Wait, then,” said the king.
    And after carefully closing the safe again, he picked up the portfolio and carried it to Madame Campan’s room himself.
    “What am I to do with this portfolio. Sire?” asked the lady.
    ” The queen will inform you, and at the same time tell you what it contains.”
    The king left the room, and Madame Campan, after concealing the portfolio between the two mattresses on her bed, returned to the queen.
    ” Madame, the king has just intrusted a portfolio to my keeping. He says your Majesty will tell me what it contains, and what I am to do with it,” she remarked.
    ” Campan, it contains documents and papers which would ruin the king if he should ever be brought to a trial, which God forbid! At the same time — and this is probably what the king wished me to tell you — it also contains a
     
    40 LA COMTESSE DE CHAKNY.
    full report of the session of the Council in which the king opposed a declaration of war. He had it signed by all his ministers; and in case he is ever brought to trial, he thinks, though the others may injure him, this will be of some service to him.”
    “But what am I to do with the papers, madame?”
    ” Whatever you think proper, Campan, provided they are in a safe place. Only you must not leave me, even when you are not on duty ; for circumstances are such that I may need you at any moment. As you are one of our most trusty friends, I want you always near me.”
    The festival of July 14th took place. It was the Kevolution, not the assassination of the king, that engrossed every mind, however, — though there was undoubtedly a strong disposition to celebrate Petion’s victory over the king.
    As we have previously stated, Petion had been suspended from office by the Directory of Paris after the outbreak on the 20th of June; but the king’s concurrence was needed to make this act valid. The king confirmed the action of the Directory by a royal proclamation sent to the Assembly; but on the 13th the Assembly formally reinstated Petion.
    At eleven o’clock on the morning of the 14th the king descended the steps of the palace in company with the queen and the royal children. Three or four thousand troops formed an escort for the royal family ; but the queen looked in vain for any expression of friendly feeling or sympathy on the faces of these men.
    As for the people, there was no mistaking their sentiments. Shouts of ” Long live Petion ! ” resounded on every side. The queen trembled and turned pale. In spite of what she had said to Madame Campan, she felt convinced that there must be a plot against the king’s life, and shuddered as she fancied she saw an outstretched hand armed with a knife or aiming a pistol.
    On reaching the Champ de Mars, the king alighted from his carriage, took his place on the left of the President of
     
    JULY 14, 1792. 41
    the Assembly, and advanced with him towards the patriot altar.
    The queen was obliged to leave the king, in order to take possession of the box that had been reserved for her and her children; but she paused, unwilling to ascend the stairs until she was satisfied that her husband was safe.
    Just as the king reached the foot of the patriot altar, there was a sudden movement, attended with considerable commotion in the crowd, and the king disappeared from sight. The queen screamed, and started towards the spot;